Depressive symptoms and psychological support needs among older adults with critical illness in Vietnamese hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Vietnam is experiencing one of the world’s fastest population aging processes, leading to an increased demand for healthcare among older adults who often face multiple chronic conditions. While depressive symptoms significantly impact recovery and quality of life for hospitalized older patients, research specifically addressing those with critical illnesses like cancer or chronic kidney failure remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among older adults with critical illness in Vietnam, and to analyze the psychological support needs of this population. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2025 at three central hospitals across Vietnam: E Hospital (North), Da Nang C Hospital (Central), and Cho Ray Hospital (South). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to screen for depressive symptoms. Multivariate Poisson regression was employed to examine the association between depressive symptoms and associated factors. Among 747 older adults with critical illness (mean age: 70.4 ± 7.1 years; range: 60–103), the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 68.4%. Factors associated with depressive symptoms included physical activity in the past four weeks, financial status, comorbidity, and occupation. The need for psychological support was significantly higher in the group with depressive symptoms (79.1% vs. 63.1%). Patients with depressive symptoms preferred support directly at the hospital with low costs, while the group without depressive symptoms preferred support at home/community-based settings with an emphasis on time and health flexibility, and diverse providers. Given the high prevalence of depressive symptoms and significant need for support, prioritizing the establishment and expansion of mental healthcare programs for older adults with critical illness is crucial.